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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. diagnosis for adhd in adults may ask for old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior. Signs and symptoms Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions—things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed. A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and conducting an exam. You can also mention your family's history of ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms are affecting your life at home, at work or school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both. If you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus. Diagnosis Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting others. There are three presentations of ADHD – predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption and be present for at least six (6) months. If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an assessment. During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at least six months. During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. However, their issues can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time but it's not the most popular. The new definition is based on the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are some differences in the way that the disorder is manifested by boys and girls. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed scales of rating used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.